County by county news for Friday

The incident happened shortly before 2 p.m. at the At-Pac facility located on JVL Industrial Drive, off Shallowford Road near Marietta. The company manufactures scaffolding, according to its website. Alexis Stevens

Marietta mayor vetoes councilman’s dissent

Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin, at Wednesday’s council meeting, vetoed a formal dissent filed by councilman Philip Goldstein concerning a new crime reduction ordinance. Goldstein said the ordinance created to reduce crime at apartment complexes with higher than average crime rates is unconstitutional. He was the only council member to vote last month against it.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smyrna to hold tax increase hearings

Smyrna will hold two public hearings on a 3.3 percent increase in city property taxes due to a rise in property values. The hearings will be 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday and 7:30 p.m. July 21 at City Hall, 2800 King St., Smyrna. The proposed increase would mean about $23.20 extra per year in taxes for a $225,000 home. The millage rate would increase 0.29 mills to 8.990 mills.Information: www.smyrnacity.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell helps school build track

The Austell City Council voted Monday to give $700 to provide sealcoating for the track at Austell Elementary.

Seal Master will supply the equipment for free. The city’s left-over millings from recent road resurfacings proved the ideal material. Information: sealmasteratlanta.com.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Native American plants restoration

Georgia Native Plant Society members invite volunteers to help them return Heritage Park to its Native American plants from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the park, 60 Fontaine Road, Mableton.

They are ridding the park of nonnative plants such as English ivy, Asian wisteria, Japanese honeysuckle and Chinese privet since organizers say those plants do not support native insects and wildlife, wreaking havoc on the ecosystems.

Volunteers should bring gloves, shovels and bottled water.

Information: gnps.org, wgawildflowers.org, Price Crafts, price3@charter.net.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta seeks ethics committee member

Marietta is looking for a resident to serve on the city ethics committee which reviews complaints filed against city council members and determines violations of the city code. Applicants must be a city resident and willing to serve a two-year term.

Information: www.marietta.gov or City Clerk Stephanie Guy at sguy@mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

College sign misspelled along Highway 316

The Department of Transportation was short an ‘n’ in a sign along Highway 316 pointing to “Georgia Gwinett College.”

The DOT, which just spent $52.7 million on the new Collins Hill Bridge on Highway 316, said the misspelling was a human error.

Natalie Dale, a spokeswoman for the DOT, said that the sign was a project done by a separate contractor.

The sign will be taken down and fixed or replaced with a correct sign at no extra charge, Dale said.

Merri Brantley, a spokeswoman with the school, said GGC was not involved in making the sign. Daniel Wilco

Third county millage rate hearing Monday

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will hold the last hearings to receive comments on the proposed 2014 millage rates 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

Commissioners are considering adopting the same millage rate as last year, which will result in more property tax revenue due to an increase in property values. The millage rate adoption is 2 p.m. Tuesday . Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Veterans memorial film screening Friday

A screening of “Freedom is Never Free: The Story of the Snellville Veterans Memorial,” a film about the construction of the veterans memorial, is 3 p.m. Friday in Council Chambers at City Hall, 2342 Oak Road. Information: www.snellville.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville to jazz it up July 19

Members of the Snellville Tourism and Trade are excited to bring back Metro Jazz Club for a repeat performance 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 19 on the Towne Green lawn in front of City Hall, 2342 Oak Road. The 17-piece band is the second group to play the Live on the Lawn Music Series this summer. Information: www.snellvilletourism.com. Karen Huppertz

Your photos may celebrate parks

The Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Division invites you to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month by emailing photos of Flat Ray, Flat Rosie, and Flat Roscoe exploring county parks to parks@gwinnettcounty.com by July 31 to be featured on the website.Information: www.gwinnettparks.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Social to benefit veterinary grant

The Water Lily Foundation will host a Dog Days of August Hot Dog Social to fund the foundation’s Veterinary Medical Assistance Grant 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24, at Rhodes Jordan Park Pavilion, 100 E Crogan St., Lawrenceville.

Cost: $9 in advance, $10 at the door. Event will include hot dogs, live entertainment and a dog-themed silent auction.

Donations: 770-827-3219. The Veterinary Medical Assistance Grant provides up to $500 for veterinary care for dogs and cats whose owners cannot afford the entire bill.

Information: www.waterlily-foundation.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Sandy Springs reviewing arts center options

The Sandy Springs City Council will hold a special called meeting at 6 p.m. July 23 at City Hall, 7840 Roswell Road, to review potential options for a performing arts center that’s part of the Civic Center Master Plan. City-hired Johnson Consulting this week presented several options revolving around a 750-1,000 -seat facility with an adjoining lobby and meeting space. A public open house on the proposals will be held 6- 8 p.m. July 24, also at City Hall.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Hearing set on Forsyth zoning changes

The Forsyth County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Unified Development Code at 6:30 p.m. July 29, at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming.

Among the proposed changes: addition of a new category, the single family community residential district, intended for larger-scale projects with planned variation in design and lot sizes.

Also to be considered are changes in single-family residential zoning performance standards. Mark Woolsey

Johns Creek extends donation deadline

Johns Creek officials have extended the deadline for donating an engraved brick paver for the Johns Cheek Veterans Memorial Walk to Aug. 1. The pavers will be placed at 10 plazas (representing different conflicts) around the walk, which is not tax-funded. The pavers cost $50 or $100. The ceremonial grand opening of the project is set for Nov. 7 at Newtown Park.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodall picked for House leadership post

Seventh District U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall, R-Ga., has been picked as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group described as comprising the most conservative members of the U.S. House. Woodall takes over July 16, and will serve until regular committee elections later this year. He replaces Rep. Steve Scalise, who was tapped as Majority Whip.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Sandy Springs to debut linear park

Sandy Springs’ Abernathy Greenway Linear Park will officially open with a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting July 17 at the western edge of the project, along Abernathy between Brandon Mill and Wright roads.

First planned in 2007, the $3.6 million, 6.6-acre project developed in conjunction with the widening of Abernathy includes a plaza, gardens, lighted trails, playgrounds and a playable art park. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Roswell sets Civil War reenactment

The Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau and Barrington Hall Museum plan a reenactment of the 1864 Union occupation of Roswell and the arrest of local textile mill workers on federal treason charges all day Saturday and Sunday at Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive and on the nearby Town Square, with the arrest reenactment at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. both days. Free. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Superintendent appoints number two

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen plans to name David Jernigan, executive director of KIPP Metro Atlanta, as her number two.

In an email to staff Thursday, Carstarphen said she had asked Jernigan to join APS as deputy superintendent, pending board approval.

His start date and salary are also pending board approval.

Carstarphen wrote that Jernigan would also be an asset to the district’s work to improve collaboration between charter and traditional public schools, one of the school board’s priorities. Molly Bloom

KIPP students working in summer internships

About 35 Atlanta-area students at KIPP charter schools are working in summer internships arranged with the help of international consulting company Accenture.

The arrangement is part of a college and career readiness initiative between Accenture and KIPP schools in nine U.S. cities, including Atlanta.

Atlanta companies and organizations offering internships include Accenture, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech’s Project ENGAGES, Girls Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Junior Achievement of Georgia, Recall, TechBridge, and Taylor Architecture. Molly Bloom

Author to host personal finance workshop

Author, speaker and personal development coach Judi Mason will host the “Where is the Money Seminar,” a personal finance workshop, at 3 p.m. Saturdayat the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library’s Peachtree branch, 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta.

M. Olette Etheridge, a local author and financial industry veteran, will join Mason to discuss ways participants can obtain financial freedom and how to secure the funding to make dreams reality.

The event is free, but registration is recommended.

Information: www.reinventyoumovement.com Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DEKALB

Police investigate fatal shooting

DeKalb County police Thursday morning were on the scene of a fatal shooting in a neighborhood off Glenwood Road.

Police were called to the 3500 block of Misty Valley Road after a man was found dead in a car.

Just before 9 a.m., investigators could be seen examining a gray sedan that was off the road.

While he didn’t have any details yet on a motive, DeKalb police Capt. Stephen Fore told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “it is going to be a homicide.”

The identity of the man has not been released. Mike Morris

Public safety head to lead national police group

DeKalb County’s public safety director will become the president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives on Wednesday.

As the leader of NOBLE, Cedric Alexander may be called on to serve on White House panels for counsel and advice about criminal justice and human rights issues.

Alexander and NOBLE’s new executive board will be installed during the group’s annual conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. Mark Niesse

Trinity Triangle close to construction

Construction of Decatur’s “Trinity Triangle,” between East Trinity Place and East Howard Avenue has been delayed for months due to permitting complications, according to assistant city manager Lyn Menne.

But Menne added the two joint developers are currently working on the loan-closing permit and should break ground later this summer. The site will include 214 apartments and 12,000 square feet of retail, including a new Dairy Queen, which closed Feb. 22.

The entire project should finished by the end of next year.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Tucker to mark Civil War anniversary

The Tucker Historical Society and Tucker Civic Association will mark the 150th anniversary of the city’s role in the Civil War with events on July 19.

A commemoration of the anniversary will take place at 10 a.m. at the Browning Courthouse in front of the Tucker Recreation Center, 4989 Lavista Road. The historical society will host an open house featuring a series of speakers who will discuss the Civil War period.

The civic association and other community groups will have booths on the front lawn with information about their organizations.

Information: www.tuckercivic.org or www.tuckergahistorical.org Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Input sessions set for renovating schools

City Schools Decatur has set two dates for residential input sessions on the renovation and new construction of Renfroe Middle School and Decatur High.

Architects and design personnel, selected by CSD, will field questions and suggestions on Aug. 14 at the high school and Aug. 19 at Renfroe.

Design plans for both schools should finish by late fall/early winter, with Phase I construction on the high school — most likely new classrooms – beginning in January. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Henry school board to set millage rate

The Henry County Board of Education will host three meetings in the next two weeks to adopt the millage rate for the 2014-2015 school year. There is no proposed increase as the millage rate is already at its limit of 20 mills and has been since 2007. Two hearings are set for July 16 and the final adoption of the millage rate is scheduled for July 23 at 5 p.m. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Walk-a-thon to benefit special-needs group

People First of Henry County, a nonprofit organization that supports special-needs young people and adults, will host a Ricky Craig Walk-A-Thon 8 a.m. July 26 at the Board of Education offices in McDonough. Pledges and donations are now being accepted and are tax-deductible.

Information: 770-957-6060 or peoplefirstofhenrycounty@yahoo.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette earns higher bond rating of AAA

Fayette County’s Public Facilities Authority has earned a higher bond rating from Standard & Poor’s. The rating was raised from AA+ to AAA based on what S&P called “very strong management conditions [and] strong financial policies.” The change will reduce the amount of interest the county pays on future bonds.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Applications taken for housing rehab funds

Fulton County is accepting pre-applications from homeowners seeking housing rehabilitation assistance.

Apply for deferred payment loans to bring substandard, single-family, owner-occupied properties into compliance with federal regulations and county codes. The Housing Rehabilitation Program funds are made available annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Deadline: July 31. Information. www.fultoncountyga.gov or 404-613-7944. Kent A. Miles

Henry water quality report released

The Henry County Water Authority has released its 2014 Henry County Water Quality Report, which shows that the organization meets or exceeds state and federal water standards. The report includes lab data collected during the 2013 calendar year, providing consumers with information about the water system and source water, the substances and contaminants for which the HCWA monitors and tests, the water production processes that are overseen and other public information. Information: www.waterqualityreport.hcwsa.com.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette seeks recreation advisers

Fayette County’s Recreation Commission has two volunteer openings. The five-member board meets monthly to review and evaluate programs, facilities and policies in order to make recommendations about ongoing needs. One term expires in March 2016 and another in May 2018; contact fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or call 770-305-5102 to apply by Thursday.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC